Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert sent a letter to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), outlining recommendations for changes to the current code for multi-family housing, in a bid to improve fire safety.

The DCA is reviewing New Jersey’s construction and fire codes, with input from state municipalities. Interest has been high in the aftermath of a devastating apartment fire in Edgewater, especially as the developer, AvalonBay, is currently building a new rental complex on the former site of the Princeton Hospital. Of particular concern is the current code’s use of lightweight wood construction for multi-family units, which allowed for the quick spread of fire and widespread damage sustained in the Edgewater fire.

A small village in Missouri with a progressive Fire Protection District, Sunrise Beach, has just held its first reading of proposed updated to the current fire code. Citing the safety of citizens and an effort to improve the district’s insurance service organization rating, Fire Chief Dennis Reilly spearheaded the effort to revise the building code.

The board plans to formally adopt the new ordinances March 23, with an effective date of June 23, 2015.